Patient-centred goal-planning is at the centre of rehabilitation. Goal-planning is a recognised and effective way to plan, direct and measure the success of a rehabilitation programme.

Goals should be SMART

S specific
M measurable
A achievable
R relevant
T time-limited

Goals can be both short and long term and should be set at the level of whole team intervention as well as for the individual clinician.

Failure to achieve a goal should be categorised under one of the following variance headings:

1. patient factors (eg. patient unwell)
2. staff factors (eg. staff sickness)
3. reasons due to intrinsic system factors (eg. equipment failure)
4. reasons due to extrinsic factors (eg. funding)

Examples of goals setting for a patient with a brain injury

Date	SMART goal	Target date	Outcome	Variance
03/03/2012	For John to walk 10m with assistance 1 of plus handling belt in <25 seconds	10/03/2012	Achieved
03/03/2012	For John to initiate using call bell to ask for help with toileting and remain continent during day on 7/14 days	17/03/2012	Not achieved	Patient factors – intercurrent UTI